Vivian Moyung Wong

May 25, 1923 - August 18, 2017

Vivian Moyung Wong passed away peacefully at Marymount Villa in San Leandro on August 18, 2017. She is survived by her devoted children, Tom Wong and Leila Wong (Al Auletta); her grandson, Antonio Wong-Carrillo; her younger brother, Wai Kwong (Thomas) Moyung (Thelma), two younger sisters, Wai Chung Tao and Wai Fun Lum (Yew Wai) ; as well as numerous nephews, nieces, grand nephews, grand nieces, great-grand nephews, great-grand nieces, and god-children.

Vivian Moyung was born in Canton (Guangzhou), China on May 25, 1923, the second of seven children. She spent her childhood in China, where she graduated from Wah Chung University, in the interior of China, in 1945. It was also at Wah Chung where she met her loving husband of 57 years, Pak Hoy Wong (predeceased in 2003). They were married in Canton in 1946, and moved to the United States in 1947.

Vivian became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1952, and was chosen to demonstrate the oral examination part of an applicant during the American Legion Naturalization Program held in San Francisco on February 28, 1952. Despite the many demands of raising two active children and hosting countless San Francisco Bay Area Chinese community events ( i.e. Bay Area Wah Chung Alumni Association, the Chinese American Citizens Alliance in Oakland, the Chinese Center in Berkeley, the Chinese Community Center in Oakland, and Our Saviour Episcopal Parish in Oakland), Vivian devoted thousands of hours to teaching within the Chinese community in whatever capacity was needed, whether it was English as a second language and badminton at the Chinese Community Center, or bible studies and knitting at Our Saviour.

Vivian’s unwavering faith and dedication to the community exhibited her personal concern for Americans of Chinese ancestry. Her efforts helped many to assimilate into American society, while retaining their rich cultural heritage. The International Institute of the East Bay recognized these efforts by honoring her as the Outstanding Immigrant from China on November 10, 1973.

Friends and family are welcome to attend a Celebration of Life service at 11:30 AM on Saturday, September 9, 2017, at Episcopal Church of Our Saviour, 1011 Harrison Street, Oakland, CA 94607, followed by a lunch at Peony Seafood Restaurant in Oakland. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be made to the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour.